NHSO expands into Fairfield County with 2009-10 season

Fairfield County, one of the most culturally rich areas of the world, will become even more arts-abundant during this upcoming orchestral season.

Although some states have only two or three orchestras to call their own, Connecticut has numerous venerable professional orchestras; Fairfield County alone has ones in Bridgeport, Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Ridgefield -- each with a devoted following. Add to the choices such community volunteer orchestras as the Fairfield-based American Chamber Orchestra and the Danbury Symphony Orchestra.

And now the New Haven Symphony Orchestra has announced that it intends for the first time ever to repeat its seven-concert 2009-10 New Haven season at various Fairfield County venues. All nine Beethoven symphonies are on the season's slate.

As in the past, the NHSO also will repeat its three-concert pops series in Shelton; and its "Holiday Extravaganza" will be offered at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.

Arts organizations "should never stand still," says the NHSO's Music Director and Conductor William Boughton of the orchestra's decision to expand into Fairfield County. "I have always agreed with the idea of extending one's footprint" in order to grow and thrive. The orchestra, which is the fourth oldest in the United States, is entering its 116th season.

Boughton believes the competition will be good for Fairfield County orchestras.

"This whole idea that this is my patch . . . stay off my patch,' is something I have never understood. In New Haven, we have more than 400 concerts a year" presented by numerous organizations, "which give audiences more and greater choices of programming and soloists. The more you have, the more need you create for it. And that's healthy for everyone."

(The Greater Bridgeport Symphony's base of support rests heavily with residents of Bridgeport and with music-lovers in the neighboring towns of Fairfield, Trumbull, Easton and Stratford. Although GBS officials declined to comment on New Haven's plans, observers note that the GBS enjoys a fiercely loyal following and consequently does not view the NHSO as a major threat to ticket sales.)

Venues and concert dates were chosen, Boughton says, based on "logistical concerns" such as availability during a given week and "as a way to reach the broadest cross-section possible, including school children and families," he says.

Despite the current recessionary economy and the ensuing stiff competition among arts organizations for the public's discretionary income, Boughton says the NHSO hopes that its "Beethoven & Beyond" season will great appeal, adding that "this might very well be the first time that any orchestra in Connecticut has programmed the complete Beethoven cycle in one season."

"Our world is changing," Boughton says. "We live in revolutionary times" and a time of financial chaos, "which has major implications for everyone. And no better composer reflects (these uncertain times) than Beethoven," who, because of his battle with deafness and a host of other challenges, "constantly sought a reason for his existence. His triumph is a wonderful lesson for all of us. With his great belief in mankind, his music is always uplifting."

As for whether this Fairfield Cycle will become an annual offering, Boughton says it's too early to tell.

"I have no idea what the future will bring. We'll just have to see what the response is."

NHSO SEASON SCHEDULE

Here's the schedule, with program highlights:

"Celebrate 116!" Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., at New Canaan High School. Featured will be Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 in C major, Opus 21, and violinist Kurt Nikkanen on Walton's Concerto in B minor.

"Ritual Incantations," Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., SHU's Edgerton Center. Featured will be a new work by Jin Hi Kim and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92. Cellist Mihai Marica will be the soloist on Augusta Read Thomas' "Ritual Incantations" for Cello and Orchestra. Both Kim and Thomas are NHSO composers-in-residence.

"Beethoven & Beyond," Saturday, April 24 at 7 p.m., New Canaan High School. Jin Hi Kim will perform on the komungo, a Korean instrument, in one of her works, "Monk Dances," which was commissioned by the NHSO in 2007. Also featured will be Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67.

Tickets for the Fairfield County concerts are $35 to $45; for additional information on the series, contact the NHSO at 203-865-0831. For tickets for the New Canaan and Shelton concerts, telephone the NHSO or visit www.newhavensymphony.org. For SHU concerts, call the Edgerton Center at 203-371-7908 or visit www.edgertoncenter.org. For Fairfield University concerts, contact the Quick Center box office at 203-254-4010 or visit www.quickcenter.com.

SHELTON POPS! SERIES

Subscription packages, at $85 each, are now available for the 2009-10 NHSO Pops! series at Shelton Intermediate School, all conducted on Sundays at 3 p.m. by Gerald Steichen, NHSO associate conductor (and music director of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra). On the program are: "A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald," Oct. 11; "Holiday Extravaganza" with the Elm City Girls Choir, Dec. 13; and "Valentine's Wish," Feb. 14. Individual tickets are $35.